Heathcliff worth chancing at 25s

Heathcliff is at his best when the mud is flying and at 25/1 looks worth an each-way punt in the 6.55 at Exeter.

Richard Lee’s gelding is a moody sort who needs plenty of driving and hasn’t scored since landing a beginners chase at Ludlow back in 2010 off an official rating of 132.

However he has run some really solid races over hurdles when there has been plenty of give, as when chasing home Knockara Beau at Carlisle last February off a mark of 127 and when finishing third to Reindeer Dippin at Haydock three starts ago off the same mark.

A repeat of either of those runs would give him claims in this, and although the handicapper has been slow to relent the 10-year-old has now been dropped 2lb after a couple of below par efforts.

That gives him a decent chance at the weights if on a going day, and another plus is that he seems to get on well with Tom Scudamore who has been riding better than ever of late.

Scu was on-board in his two aforementioned runs, and it’s interesting that he is now back on board for the first time since his good run at Haydock.

Backing him obviously comes with risks attached given his moody nature, but at 25/1 it looks a risk worth taking given that he has his ideal conditions.